time clock

noun

1. a clock with an attachment that may be manually activated to stamp or otherwise record the exact time on a card or tape, used to keep a record of the time of something, as of the arrival and departure of employees.

time clock

noun

1. a clock which records, by punching or stamping cards inserted into it, the time of arrival or departure of people, such as employees in a factory

Word History and Origins

Origin of time clock¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90